New Zealand will ease coronavirus restrictions in its biggest city from Wednesday as vaccinations rates rise and lockdown measures will likely be phased out by the end of the month, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

“Auckland has worked so hard to get their vaccination rates high, they deserve to be able to move as soon as they hit those targets regardless of what's happening in the rest of the country,” Ardern told a news conference.

Auckland's vaccination rate rose to 90 per cent for first doses over the weekend, Ardern said, and there is a strong expectation it will reach a target of 90pc for second doses by Nov 29.